Friday, June 07, 2013

What the Hell Have I Been Doing?

SweetPea, the Monkeys and I ran an aid station for the inaugural Gold Rush 100K. While the Monkeys and I have volunteered for several events for TBF Racing, this was the first time any of us had worked an ultra marathon. Would you believe they actually put us (me) in charge of the whole aid station? As aid station captian, I was not only in charge of making sure everything was set up and running smoothly, I was also serving as a race official. I had to power to ask a runner to stop, to collect information about a runner who was dropping, and to answer technical race rule questions (Ok, there was only one).

It was a lot of fun, and I 'd love to do it again.

The Road to My Aid Station pt. 1
The trail leading to our aid station.

Oh, wait! I am! Way back in December I requested a volunteer slot at the upcoming Western States 100. While working Gold Rush, I got an email offering me a coveted position working the cable crossing. That's right! I get to spend one whole night standing in a freezing ass river helping runners into and out of the water. I can't hardly wait!

I ended up having to leave the Gold Rush aid station early so that I could go and teach yoga. Not just any yoga class but my yoga class! Not only was I offered a time slot to teach yoga, but we're trying a whole new style of class, so I've been fortunate to be able to design the class. I think it's really awesome, and I think you should come!

The next weekend, we took the dogs to Grandfather's house so they could romp and play in his backyard. It's a split level yard, so there's lots for Bixby to jump up and down and climb under and of course he loves to drink from the pig pot.

photo 2.JPG
photo 1.JPG

Then we went to a party and had a great time, as you can see.

Hello Goodbye Color
Hello Goodbye BW

One morning, while driving the Monkeys to school, this dude walked on out into the street and sat down. As I was driving towards him! Even after taking the time to snap this photo, he was still sitting there. I had to drive around his ass. In fairness, he looked kind of old and raggedy. Maybe he was hoping for an out?

Really, dude?

Speaking of Monkeys and school! Did you know that I had two graduates this year?

The four of us.
MonkeySee graduated high school.

Dulcie with Circle.JPG
MonkeyDo graduated junior high.

As you can see, we've been pretty busy. While I still feel guilty about neglecting you guys, I don't want to post for the sake of filling space. Hopefully I can get back to a more regular posting schedule as the summer holiday allows some brain cells to regeneration.

Here's hoping, anyway!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Is This Thing On?

I know that it's been way too long since I've posted and I owe you lots & lots of updates. Right now, though, what I have for you is this:

Name Search

I am really in love with what happens when you google my name right now.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

And Then I Jumped, Anyway

When I was a kid, my dad would take us hiking frequently. Northern California is fantastic for getting out in nature. We have miles and miles of trails, rivers, canyons, mountains, and lakes that are accessible throughout most of any given year. I remember exploring a lot of places.

In my head, this is the girl I've always been. Exploring outside, in the sun and the dirt, over rocks and under trees, and - hell yes - in the water. This is the girl whose heart pines for a Jeep. The girl who feels like she's part mountain goat and still hopes to go on a multi-day hiking/camping trip.

Somewhere along the line, we stopped hiking as frequently. Maybe life got in the way. Maybe I got too much up my own teenage ass about the way I should be and how much that didn't include being sweaty and dirty and sunburnt. While I've made some half assed attempts over the years to get back to this place, they've never really stuck.

No matter how much I enjoyed it.

Two rounds of Yoga Teacher Training later...

Last year, we hiked twice up to the same spot under Foresthill Bridge. We took different routes both times, one significantly easier than the other. But when you're (still) so far removed from your fitness and from that girl who was part mountain goat, even the "easier" route sucked. And allergies.

Auburn State Park>
See the red trail? That. We hiked that.

Oh my fuck, the allergies.

There we were, in this gorgeous place, out in the middle of everything I love, and I was miserable. Sure, part of it was because my allergies were making it hell, but part of it was because I was too up in my head with anxiety about the hike back and my allergies and a bunch of other stupid shit that, honestly, I should have let go of so I could actually be in the moment.

This year, again, we hiked twice.

The first time to that same spot under Foresthill Bridge. We took the "easier" route to get there, and then took the long way back out so we could tackle a big climb. While the climb was certainly not easy, it was much easier than the climb was last year, and I managed it with a lot less direct, physical assistance (although I am very grateful to my group, who hung out with me, encouraged me, and gave me a hand up when I needed one).

It was a really awesome day.

On the last day of class, we went on a completely different hike.

For those familiar with the area, we hiked Lake Clementine Trail.

Lake Clementine Trail has a long, slow incline with a well maintained trail and lots of shade. It's a beautiful trail and a pretty easy hike. You end up here:

Clementine falls

Then you climb down a rocky bank to get out onto the rocks under the waterfall, where we sat in the sun and the mist, exploring, goofing off, taking pictures and having lunch.

Yoga under the falls - 2013 East Wind Teacher Training

I wasn't quite that daring, but I did end up barefoot and climbing all over rocks, taking photos, exploring, and hanging out. It was fun. More than just exploring the area, I was exploring what I was capable of. Reconnecting with my core and my confidence.

It was freeing.

Hiking out from Clementine falls. Sunburn & orange are the colors of the day.

After Clementine Falls, we hiked back down the trail and stopped about halfway down, at a "beach" that was mostly rocky outcroppings above the river.

2013 East Wind Teacher Training

Jumping into the river started almost immediately.

I hadn't planned to get wet (we were warned before that there would be an opportunity to get in the water). I didn't plan to jump into the river. I didn't want to. I was afraid to. I didn't trust my strength as a swimmer to get back to shore. I didn't trust my ability to climb up wet rocks to get back out.

I am terribly, irrationally afraid of falling.

I stood on that damn ledge for so long.

Other people jumped. I was cheered, encouraged, cajoled. I talked myself into it and out of it and back again. I thought about every video I'd ever seen where someone attempts to jump and falls badly. I thought about how far down I would go once I hit the water. I wondered if I would hit the rock ledge under the water.

I thought about all the things, all the fears, all the irrational bullshit.

And then I jumped, anyway.

You guys.

It took a really long time to fall.

I could hear everyone talking and cheering for a long time. And, yes. On the way down, I was wondering why I was still hearing words, why I could listen to entire sentences. Then I hit the water, slowing & finally stopping before swimming back up to the top. I made it back to the rocks and, with help, got back up out of the water.

It was really awesome.

It had come down to the understanding that the regret of not jumping would far outweigh the fear of the jump, and that it would last much, much longer.

This is the girl that I want to be.

Dirty, wet, and sunburnt. Over the rocks, under the trees, in the water. Part mountain goat.

But more than that...

I want to be the girl that jumped, anyway.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Rendered Speechless

Auburn State Park
I have so much to tell you that I don't even know where to start.

Friday, April 12, 2013